Fresh air and farm work to beat depression

LONDON - Doctors in Britain are prescribing fresh air and farm work to beat depression.

A scheme in Suffolk encourages patients to work outdoors. Known as care farms, the initiative is designed to offer therapeutic help to people with mental health problems, the Daily Mail said.

Doctors who support the program, after a successful run in Norway and Holland, refer patients to the Clink Care Farm in Tofts Monk, near Beccles, Suffolk.

The 143-acre farm received its first helpers in June and is run by Doeke Dobma, 47.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback from doctors who would rather see their patients working on a farm that just sitting at home on medication trapped by four walls,” said Dobma.